Newsletter

River Street murder suspect behind bars

The man wanted for shooting to death a 19-year-old near River Street Labor Day weekend turned himself in Thursday afternoon at police headquarters. He was then booked into the Chatham County jail.

A day after Savannah-Chatham police announced they’d secured a murder warrant for his arrest in the Sept. 2 shooting death of Tiyates Lamont Franklin, Lanard Akeem Mikell, 20, was arrested on the murder charge, according to jail records.

Police said Mikell shot Franklin about 1 a.m., after a confrontation in the popular area. Franklin was transported to Memorial University Medical Center where he died later that day.

It’s the second arrest in a series of Labor Day weekend murders that left four dead. Police charged 14-year-old Preston Phelps with the Sept. 2 murder of his father, Thomas Phelps, at their Talahi Island home.

No arrests have been made in the early morning Sept. 1 slayings of 30-year-old Michael Biancosino and 21-year-old Emily Pickels. The two were gunned down in a vehicle on East Henry Street just feet from Pickels’ apartment.

One jailed, another dead after robbery, crash

Savannah-Chatham police Thursday were investigating a fatal shooting that involved a suspect in the robbery of a southside business.

Police found the man suffering from a gunshot wound in the back seat of a black pickup truck that had crashed into a home near the intersection of 46th and Harmon streets, said Julian Miller, police spokesman. The man, whose identity was withheld pending next of kin notification, was transported to Memorial University Medical Center where he was declared dead.

That truck, Miller said, matched the description of the vehicle two suspects used to flee after robbing the Coastal Gold Exchange in the 200 block of Eisenhower Drive. The robbery involved gunshots.

Police apprehended the driver of the truck after a short foot chase in the area, Miller said.

Savannah-Chatham police violent crimes detectives are continuing to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at at 912-234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637). In the body type, include “CStop2020” plus the tip. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.

Abercorn lane closures on southside

Georgia Department of Transportation contractors will close three lanes of Abercorn Street on Savannah’s southside over the weekend.

Two eastbound lanes and a westbound lane will close from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting, between Wilshire Boulevard and Largo Drive.

Motorists are advised to reduce speeds as they travel through this construction work zone.

Compiled by Corey Dickstein

ON THE WEB

To see pictures and details for individuals serving their initial incarceration in Chatham County, as reported by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, go to ChathamCountyBooked.com.